What Does an Epidemiologist Do in Modern Healthcare?

Few pursuits in healthcare have shaped modern medicine as profoundly as epidemiology. Through several generations, professionals in the field have revolutionized medicine. Their work has proven the importance of antiseptics during surgery and determined the transmission paths of multiple diseases, including malaria and tuberculosis. These discoveries have prevented disease and saved countless lives.¹

Epidemiologists fill a critical position in healthcare. They investigate the causes of disease outbreaks and injuries. Their research helps public health agencies and pharmaceutical companies identify ways to prevent and treat illness. Insights gained through epidemiological work protect public health and support the development of vaccines and medications.²

Whether you're drawn to disease-detective work or driven to protect communities through data, understanding what epidemiologists actually do can help you envision your own impact in this essential field. Keep reading to explore what epidemiologists study, how they work and the impact they make in modern healthcare.

Why are Epidemiologists Important to Public Health?

Throughout history, disease outbreaks—from malaria and polio to scarlet fever and, most recently, SARS-CoV-2—have caused widespread illness and death. Epidemiologists have been instrumental in containing these threats by identifying how diseases spread and determining what stops transmission.³

This work drives tangible progress. Over the past 40 years, epidemiological research has helped identify the viruses that cause AIDS and certain cancers, leading to new detection methods and treatments.⁴ By analyzing disease patterns and risk factors, epidemiologists inform public health policy, guide prevention strategies and promote health equity—work that protects current communities and future generations.²

What Does an Epidemiologist Study?

Epidemiologists focus their work on several key areas, including:⁵

• Infectious and chronic diseases
• Cancer
• Aging
• Substance abuse disorders
• Mental health conditions
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular illnesses

To perform their work, they rely on varied research methods. They may conduct group studies to understand specific health problems more thoroughly. In some cases, they'll interact with people affected by a disease through interviews or surveys. After gathering information, they analyze it for insights to solve public health challenges.⁵

Epidemiologists may share research findings with other health professionals, government agencies and private health companies. Their research can influence public policy and disease prevention and treatment strategies.⁵ Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, epidemiological research found that requiring people to wear masks and maintain a certain distance from one another could reduce transmission. This research informed public health policies including lockdowns, social distancing and mask requirements.⁶

Epidemiologist Job Duties and Career Paths

Epidemiologists’ day-to-day responsibilities are largely research-driven. When investigating a health issue, they may begin by defining a problem and creating a research plan. In this stage, they may outline their research method and data collection sources.⁷ They collaborate with other researchers, technical experts and administrative staff, who participate in the research process and provide support in other areas. Epidemiologists then review and interpret the data before distributing it to health officials.⁷

A bachelor's degree in a science field, such as public health or biology, is a prerequisite for a career in epidemiology. Degrees in statistics or sociology also provide strong foundations for the field. Many employers require new hires to hold a master's or doctoral degree in epidemiology.⁷

With the appropriate credentials, epidemiologists may work for state health departments, federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the National Institutes of Health (NIH), or global institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO). Employers in the private sector include pharmaceutical companies and educational institutions.⁸ Typical positions include field investigator, public health analyst, epidemiologist and infection prevention specialist.⁸

How Epidemiologists Use Technology in Healthcare

For decades, investigating disease outbreaks meant traveling to affected areas, interviewing patients one by one and manually tracking transmission patterns—work that could take weeks or months while diseases continued to spread.³

Today's epidemiologists work at a different pace. Electronic health records, social media activity, search engine queries and data from wearable medical devices provide real-time insights into disease patterns. An uptick in flu-related searches in a specific region, for example, can flag a transmission hotspot before hospitals see a surge in patients. Work that once required boots on the ground now happens from a computer screen—more quickly, more broadly, and often more accurately.⁹

Artificial intelligence accelerates this work even further. Machine learning algorithms identify hidden patterns in massive datasets, predict outbreak trajectories and evaluate intervention strategies. These tools help epidemiologists model disease spread, compare treatment options and inform vaccine development—reducing months of analysis into days or even hours.¹⁰

This speed matters. In time-sensitive public health crises, technology-enabled responses can slow transmission, target resources effectively and protect the most vulnerable communities before outbreaks escalate.

Build the Skills to Lead Public Health's Crucial Investigations

From tracking disease outbreaks to uncovering the root causes of health disparities, epidemiologists are at the forefront of protecting communities and shaping evidence-based health policy. If you're ready to contribute to this vital work, advanced training in clinical epidemiology can position you to make a measurable difference.

Kent State University’s STEM-designated online Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology program combines rigorous methodological training with real-world application. The program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), ensuring that you receive education that meets the highest standards in the field.

Study with distinguished faculty who are active researchers and practitioners—experts who have secured millions in grant funding from prestigious organizations including the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Their frontline experience in addressing today's most pressing health challenges translates directly into your coursework, preparing you to conduct meaningful research from day one.

The close-knit learning environment and small class sizes at Kent State University facilitate meaningful interaction between students and professors, while our extensive networking and mentorship opportunities support your long-term career growth. You may customize your degree with a practicum or thesis option to gain hands-on experience, and you'll benefit from dedicated tutoring support in biostatistics courses to ensure mastery of essential analytical skills.

Many students complete the program in as few as 24 months. You’ll graduate ready to continue your studies at the doctoral level or pursue a career in healthcare systems, government agencies or research institutions, conducting clinical trials, managing research programs or investigating disease patterns.

Make your move today. Connect with an admissions outreach advisor who can help you map your path to leading public health's critical investigations.